Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-10-02
selon they kill f.h with 'em or div. ,.a

off,"
The latter assumption in probably or
rect. The electric apparatus OF the torpedo
fsh is it's defence and is certainly good
one. Its electric organs have been COM
pared to the voltaic pile, and consist OF
two series of layers Of hexagoDsl cells, the
intervening spaces between the plates
being fillei with trembling, jelly-like
substance, so that each cell can be COM
pared to the Leyden jar. Each torpedo
carries about $50 ef these batteries, the
whole being equal in power to about 10
Leyden jars, making $500 square inches
charged 10 the highest degree. The upper
side of the fish is pssitive, the lower mega
tive, the shocks evidently being entirely at
the will Of the strange electrician. The
torpedo is met with frequently along the
Atlantic coast, especially along the Geor-
gis portion OF it.
A naturalist once made some interesting
experiments, one of which was the appli-
cation of the telephone to torpedo, TO see
If the shock gave an audible sound. Such
proved TO be the case, short, low croak
accompanying moderate excitement, the
discharge lasting about one-ffteenth Ola
second. When the fish was greatly ex-
cited the croak became groan, sounding.
it was said, like the tonality Of mi, and
occupying four or five seconds. When the
attention of scientific men in England was
first called TO the torpedo fish, Dr.. Walsh,
F. X. s, amused himself and scientific
London with one of these fishes, after .
series Of experiments at the lie de Re. The
performances took the form Of piscatorial
seances, and il became the rage to make q
fish shock. Wondrous medicinal
virtue was ascribed TO it. and the
demand for torpedoes brought
rich harvest TO fishermen. Their use In
medicine, however, was not new, rs Dis
corides, the physician Of Antony and
Cleopatra, is said 10 have made use OF
them.
DIR. Walsh's method was TO place liv-
ing torpedo upon wet towel; from a plate
he suspended two pieces Of brass wire by
means Of silken cord, which served TO in
sulate them. Round the torpedo were
eight persons standing on insulated sub
stances. One end Of the brass wire WAS
supported by the wet towel. the other end
being placed in basinful OF water. The
first person had finger Of one hand In
this basin and finger Of the other hand
in second basin, also full ofwater. The
second person placed finger OF one hand
in the second basin and the finger Of the
other in a third basin. The third person
did the same, and so on until complete
chain was established between the eight
persons and nine basins. Into the ninth
basin the end of the second brass wire Was
plunged, while DIR. Walsh applied the
other end TO the back Of the torpedo,
thus establishing complete conducted
circle.
AZ the moment when the expeTimentsr
touched the torpedo the eight actors In the
ex pertinent felt sudden shock, similar In
all respects TO that communicated by the
shock of Leyden jar, only less intensn
The torpedo was then placed upon an in
sulated supporter and communicated 70 -
persons similarly placed from 10 to 50
shocks in n minute and a bali. Each effort
made by the fish was accompanied bya
depression of the eyes, which were slightly
projecting in their natural state, and
seemed TO he drawn within their orbits,
while the other parts Of the body
remained immovahle. II only one OF
the two organs were touched In place
OF strong aud sudden shock, only
slight sensation was experienced-a
numhness rather than shock The sAms
result followed with every experiment tried.
The fish was tried with non. conducting
rod, and no shock followed; glass, or rod
covered with wax produced no effect;
touched with n metallic wire violent
shock followed. A Boston physician In
making experiments with powerful fish
was comp. etely ioored, and when at dis
lance Of IL feet he struck fish with
gig the shock was 80 powerful that he
could not release his hold.
Quito number Of electric fishes arc
known, of which the South American gym
notus is undoubtedly the most powerful.
II Is said that they are caught by driving
wild mustangs in the water, the fish ei-
hausting their powers upon them, Often
fatally. The torpedoes are then captured
by the natives. Ia all nine different spe.
cies are known. three Of the curious cleo
tricians belonging 20 the ray family. One
is awordfsh, another catfish, called in
the Nile country OF Egypt ''the thunder
fish, " and the third il the electric tetrao-
don from Comoro The latter gives onlya
faint shock. but strong enough 10 probably
form a protection from various animals.
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